Advisory Board

Director for Practitioner Development, The Innovation Unit

Deryn joined The Innovation Unit team as a Director in September 2002. Previously Deryn was the Headteacher of Willow Tree Primary School in the London Borough of Ealing. One of the largest primary schools in England, Willow Tree is the result of an amalgamation of three schools undertaken by Deryn in 1993. She had 17 years of headship experience, with Willow Tree being her second headship, Islip Manor Middle School having been the first.

She led Willow Tree School through a design and build process ensuring that her vision of ICT at the heart of the primary school became a reality. The new Willow Tree emerged as a 'state-of-the art, ICT-driven' primary school which has won national and international acclaim.

Deryn has advised the former DfES School Buildings Department on procurement issues and contributed to the former DfES guidance publication on the building of new schools and the 'Schools of the Future' project.

During a year with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, where she was a management consultant, Deryn worked with various public bodies. In that role she supported the NCSL website team, the 'Transforming Secondary Education' programme and the Fast Track graduate scheme. She also advised the former DfES on the development of the 'Curriculum Online' programme at ICT in Schools (DfES).

Deryn has appeared on radio, television and has published numerous articles in the education and building design media. She is also a trainer and assessor for HTI and the Intel 'Teach to the Future' programme. She is a fellow of the RSA.

As a result of her work in The Innovation Unit, Deryn has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the reality and potential of federation of schools to raise standards. She also has an extensive knowledge of innovative practice across schools and local authorities in England.